KR101482383B1 - Water purifier - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a water purifier. The water purifier according to one aspect includes an outer panel; A body covered by the outer panel and having a filter; A ice making unit for generating ice by receiving purified water by a filter of the main body; An ice storage part provided separately from the ice making part, for storing the ice produced in the ice making part, and detachably coupled to the ice making part; And an ice discharge unit provided in the main body and through which the ice stored in the ice storage unit is taken out.

Description

Water purifier

The present invention relates to a water purifier.

Generally, a water purifier is a device for purifying raw water such as tap water to be suitable for drinking. The water purifier may be divided into a water purifier that stores the purified water after storing the purified water in the water tank, and a water purifier that discharges the purified water without storing the purified water.

The conventional water purifier may include an ice maker for generating ice and an ice reservoir for storing ice produced in the ice maker, as disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 2012-0032747.

However, in the conventional water purifier, since the ice storage unit is fixed in the main body, there is a need to separate various components connected to the ice storage unit or covering the ice storage unit when cleaning the inside of the ice storage unit. There is a problem that it is difficult to clean the ice storage portion itself because the ice storage portion is fixed to itself.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a water purifier in which the ice storage part can be separated from the body.

The water purifier according to one aspect includes an outer panel; A body covered by the outer panel and having a filter; A ice making unit for generating ice by receiving purified water by a filter of the main body; An ice storage part provided separately from the ice making part, for storing the ice produced in the ice making part, and detachably coupled to the ice making part; And an ice discharge unit provided in the main body and through which the ice stored in the ice storage unit is taken out.

A housing having an opening for providing an inlet / outlet passage of the ice storage unit, and an opening / closing unit for opening / closing the opening.

The opening and closing part is connected to the housing so that the opening is openable and closable. The opening and closing part is provided with a lever for engaging with the housing, and the housing is provided with a lever coupling part for coupling the lever.

The opening / closing part may be provided on the exterior panel.

The opening / closing part may include an ice inlet through which the ice stored in the ice storage part flows, and an ice outlet through which the ice introduced through the ice inlet is discharged.

The opening and closing unit may further include a shutter for opening and closing the ice outlet, and a shutter driving unit for driving the shutter.

The housing may be provided with a seating guide for guiding a seating position of the ice storage portion received in the housing.

The opening / closing portion can press the ice storage portion accommodated in the housing in a state where the opening is closed.

The ice reservoir may include a frame forming a storage chamber and an auger rotatably supported in the frame.

And a power transmission unit provided in the opening and closing unit to drive the auger and transmit the power of the driving unit to the auger. When the opening and closing unit closes the opening, the power transmission unit connects the driving unit and the auger When the opening / closing part opens the opening, the power transmitting part can cut off the connection between the driving part and the auger.

Wherein the power transmitting portion includes a first transmitting portion provided in the opening and closing portion and a second transmitting portion provided in the ice storage portion, and the opening and closing portion is connected to the first transmitting portion and the second transmitting portion, And the connection between the first transmission portion and the second transmission portion can be released in a state in which the opening / closing portion opens the opening.

The second transmission portion is installed to the frame so as to be movable in a direction parallel to the rotation axis extending direction of the auger, and the rotation axis of the auger may be connected to the second transmission portion.

The frame may include a rounded extension portion for guiding ice conveyed by the auger, and the second transfer portion may be provided on the extended portion.

And the second transmission portion may be received in the opening and closing portion in a state where the opening and closing portion closes the opening.

The frame may be provided with a guide member for guiding movement of the ice dropped from the ice-making unit to the storage chamber.

The frame may include a guide member for guiding the ice dropped into the storage chamber to move toward the opening.

And a sensing unit for sensing that the opening / closing unit closes the opening, and the driving unit may be turned on when the sensing unit detects that the opening is closed.

The water purifier according to the other aspect comprises: an outer panel; A body covered by the outer panel and having a filter; A ice making unit for generating ice by receiving purified water by a filter of the main body; A housing communicating with the freezing portion to provide a receiving space in which ice can be placed; An opening / closing unit for opening / closing the housing; And an ice discharge unit provided in the main body and through which the ice is discharged.

The auger assembly for transferring the ice can be detachably mounted in the receiving space.
A water purifier according to another aspect, comprising: a housing having an opening; An ice reservoir capable of receiving ice and being drawn into or out of the housing through the opening; An ice transfer part rotatably supported by the ice storage part; A cover member covering the ice storage unit, being coupled to the housing, and having a passage through which the ice stored in the ice storage unit is discharged; A shutter for opening and closing the passage; A first driving unit installed on the cover member for driving the ice transfer unit; And a second driving unit installed on the cover member to drive the shutter. When the ice storage unit is drawn out from the housing, the ice transfer unit is drawn out from the housing together with the ice storage unit.
A water purifier according to another aspect includes: a housing having an opening; An ice reservoir capable of receiving ice and being drawn into or out of the housing through the opening; And an ice transfer part rotatably supported by the ice storage part, wherein the ice storage part includes a frame having a plurality of holes, an extension part extending from the frame and supporting the ice transfer part, And a passage through which ice can pass is formed between the bottom of the frame and the bottom of the frame.
A water purifier according to another aspect includes: a housing having an opening; An ice reservoir capable of receiving ice and being drawn into or out of the housing through the opening; An ice transfer part rotatably supported by the ice storage part; A cover member covering the ice storage unit, being coupled to the housing, and having a passage through which the ice stored in the ice storage unit is discharged; A driving unit installed on the cover member for driving the ice transfer unit; And a power transmitting portion for transmitting the power of the driving portion to the ice transfer portion, wherein the power transmitting portion includes a first transmitting portion provided in the cover member and a second transmitting portion provided in the ice storing portion, The first transmitting portion and the second transmitting portion being connected to each other.

According to the present invention, since the user can easily separate the ice storage unit from the main body, the ice storage unit can be easily cleaned.

In addition, it is possible to clean a space where the ice storage portion is located in the main body in a state where the ice storage portion is separated.

1 is a perspective view of a water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention;
2 is an internal perspective view of a water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention;
3 is a partial cross-sectional view of a water purifier according to one embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a perspective view showing an opening of a housing according to an embodiment of the present invention opened by an opening / closing part.
5 is a view illustrating a state in which the ice storage unit is separated from the main body according to the embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a perspective view of an ice storage unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;
7 is a longitudinal sectional view of an ice storage unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a control block diagram of a water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a view illustrating a process of discharging ice stored in an ice storage unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

In describing the components of the embodiment of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used. These terms are intended to distinguish the constituent elements from other constituent elements, and the terms do not limit the nature, order or order of the constituent elements. When a component is described as being "connected", "coupled", or "connected" to another component, the component may be directly connected or connected to the other component, Quot; may be "connected," "coupled," or "connected. &Quot;

1 is a perspective view of a water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a water purifier 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an outer panel forming an outer shape and a main body 10 covered by the outer panel.

The outer panel may include a front panel 12, a plurality of side panels 11, an upper panel 13, and a bottom panel (not shown). The main body 10 is positioned in a space formed by the panels 11, 12, and 13.

The main body 10 may be provided with an ice discharging part 22 for discharging ice generated in the ice making part to be described later and a water discharging part 20 for discharging water. An ice channel is formed in the ice discharge part 22, and a water channel is formed in the water discharge part 20.

A water receiver (15) is connected to the front lower side of the main body (10). The water receptacle can be located below the ice discharge part 22 and the water discharge part 20. [

The front panel 12 includes a first user interface unit 23 and a second user interface unit 24.

The first user interface unit 23 can input a command related to water or output information. Illustratively, the first user interface unit 23 includes a button for selecting the type of water, an outgoing button for taking out water, and a continuous outgoing button for taking out the water continuously for a predetermined time or taking out a predetermined amount of water However, some of the buttons may be omitted.

When a specific button is selected (pressed or touched), the light emitting unit corresponding to the selected specific button is turned on to illuminate the light, Certain buttons can act as indicators. That is, when a specific button is selected, the corresponding light emitting unit is turned on to illuminate the light, so that the user can easily recognize that the specific button has been selected by confirming the light.

The first user interface unit 23 may further include a water level indicator for indicating the water level of the purified water, a water temperature indicator for indicating the temperature of the cold water, and a display unit for indicating the replacement time of the filter. Some of the display portions may be omitted.

The second user interface unit 24 can input a command related to ice or output information. Illustratively, the second user interface unit 24 includes an ice button for selecting ice to be taken out and an ice button for locking or locking the input function (for example, the function of the ice button) of the second user interface unit 24 And a lock button for releasing the lock button.

The second user interface unit 24 may further include a first display unit for informing that ice is being generated in the ice making unit and a second display unit for notifying that the ice making function is canceled. In the present invention, the release of the ice-making function means that ice is not generated in the ice-making part. The ice-making function may be released or selected by a mode selection unit provided on the rear side of the main body 10 although not shown. For example, the mode selection unit may be a switch.

The second user interface unit 24 may further include a lock display unit for indicating that the input function is locked and an unlock display unit for indicating that the input function is unlocked.

3 is a partial cross-sectional view of a water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a state in which the ice storage unit is detached from the main body according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG.

2 to 5, the main body 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a storage tank 30 in which water filtered by one or more filters is stored, And a cold water tank (not shown) for cooling the water. The storage tank 30 may store normal temperature water.

Depending on the user's selection, the water in the storage tank 30 may be taken out through the water outlet 20 or the water in the cold water tank may be taken out through the water outlet 20. In this embodiment, the main body 10 may not have a cold water tank, but may have a hot water tank, or may have both the cold water tank and the hot water tank. Alternatively, the main body 10 may be provided with at least one of a cold water tank and a hot water tank without the storage tank 30 storing water at room temperature.

The main body 10 is provided in an ice making chamber 40 for generating ice and includes ice making portions 41 and 42 for generating ice and ice stored in the ice making portions 41 and 42, And an ice storage unit 60 detachable from the main body 10.

The ice storage unit 60 is separate from the ice-making units 41 and 42 and may be positioned below the ice-making units 41 and 42.

The ice making chamber 40 may be covered by an ice making chamber cover 43. A part or the whole of the ice making chamber 40 may be formed by the housing 100 and the ice making chamber cover 43 may be connected to the housing 100 so as to open and close the ice making chamber 40.

When the upper panel 13 is detached from the water purifier 1, the ice-making chamber cover 43 may be exposed to the upper side of the main body 10. Then, the user can access the ice-making portions 41 and 42 by opening the ice-making chamber cover 43. [

The ice making sections 41 and 42 may include a cooling section 41 through which a low temperature refrigerant flows and a water storage section 42 in which water is stored. The cooling unit 41 may be, for example, a refrigerant pipe, and a part of the cooling unit 41 may extend downward to be submerged in the water contained in the water storage unit 42. The water stored in the purified water tank 30 may be supplied to the water storage unit 42 or water (filtered water) not passing through the purified water tank 30 may be supplied to the water storage unit 42.

The ice storage unit 60 may be independently insulated in the main body 10. [ That is, the outer surface of the ice storage part 60 may be covered with a heat insulating material. The ice storage portion 60 may be located below the housing forming the ice making chamber 40. [

Or the main body 10 may include a housing 100 in which the ice storage portion 60 is accommodated. The housing 100 may form a receiving space 50 for the ice storage unit 60. That is, ice may be placed in the accommodation space 50. The housing 100 may support the ice storage unit 60 to protect the ice storage unit 60 for thermal insulation.

In this embodiment, the housing 100 forms the accommodating space 50 and the ice-making chamber 40, but in the alternative, each of the separate housings may separate the accommodating space 50 and the ice- .

The housing 100 may be provided with an opening 102 through which the ice storage unit 60 can be drawn in and out. The opening 102 may be opened and closed by the opening and closing unit 110. The opening and closing part 110 covers a part of the ice storage part 60 so that the opening and closing part 110 may be referred to as a cover member covering the ice storage part 60. [

In the present embodiment, when the front panel 12 is detached from the water purifier 1, the opening / closing part 110 is exposed to the front surface of the main body 10. The user can access the opening and closing part 110 by detaching the front panel 12 and by opening the opening 102 of the housing 100 by operating the opening and closing part 110, The portion 60 can be separated from the main body 10.

The opening / closing part 110 may be rotatably connected to a side of the housing 100 by a hinge. The opening and closing part 110 may be provided with a lever 140 to be fixed to the housing 100 in a state where the opening 102 is closed. The housing 100 is provided with a lever engaging portion 144 for engaging with the lever 140. Accordingly, the user can easily open the opening 102 by releasing the engagement between the lever 140 and the lever engaging portion 144 by operating the lever 140. The lever 140 may be referred to as a first engaging portion, and the lever engaging portion 144 may be referred to as a second engaging portion.

The opening and closing part 110 may include an ice inlet 111 through which the ice transferred from the ice storage part 60 flows and an ice outlet 112 through which the ice introduced through the ice inlet 111 is discharged. have. That is, the opening / closing part 110 provides the passage of the ice transferred from the ice storage part 60.

The opening and closing unit 110 may further include a shutter 116 for opening and closing the ice outlet 112 and a shutter driving unit 118 for driving the shutter 116. The shutter 116 may be rotatably connected to the opening and closing part 110. The shutter driving unit 118 may include a motor and a power transmitting unit that transmits the power of the motor to the shutter 116. It is noted that there is no limitation in the shutter drive unit 118 for driving the shutter 116 in the present invention. The shutter driving unit 118 may be referred to as a second driving unit.

The ice discharge portion 22 and the storage chamber 610A of the ice storage portion 60 can be selectively communicated by the operation of the shutter 116 in this embodiment. That is, when the shutter 116 opens the ice outlet 112, the ice discharge unit 22 communicates with the storage chamber 610A of the ice storage unit 60, When the ice outlet 112 is closed, the communication between the ice discharge part 22 and the storage chamber 610A of the ice storage part 60 is cut off.

Specifically, the opening / closing part 110 includes a first body 120 having the ice inlet 111 and the ice outlet 112 formed thereon, and a second body 130 coupled to the first body 120, . As another example, it is possible that the ice body inlet 111 is formed in the first body 120 and the third body in which the ice outlet 112 is formed on the lower side of the first body 120. The lever 140 may be installed on one side of the second body 130.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an ice storage unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of an ice storage unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, 6 and 7, the ice storage unit 60 may include a frame 610 forming a storage chamber 610A for storing ice.

The frame 610 includes a front frame 611 (or a first frame) on which the ice passage 614 is formed and a rear frame 613 Two frames ") and one or more connection frames 615 (or a" third frame ") connecting the front frame 611 and the rear frame 613. Between the front frame 611 and the rear frame 613, a mesh type support part 660 for passing water and supporting the ice can be provided. The frame 610 may include a plurality of connection frames 615 and a support portion 660 may be provided between adjacent two connection frames 616. [

As another example, the frame 610 may include a top opening and a front opening. The upper surface opening serves as a passage through which ice flows into the frame 610, and the front opening serves as a passage through which ice in the frame 610 is discharged. In addition, the frame 610 may have a plurality of holes through which water is discharged.

The ice storage unit 60 may further include an auger 620 (or an "ice transfer unit") for transferring the ice stored in the storage chamber 610A to the ice passage 614 . However, the auger 620 may be omitted depending on the position or arrangement of the ice storage unit 60. [

The auger 620 may be rotatably supported on the frame 610. [ The auger 620 may include a rotating shaft 622 and a blade 624 extending in a spiral direction from the rotating shaft 622.

A guide rib 626 for guiding the rotation of the auger 620 is formed at a rear end of the rotary shaft 622 and a rotation guide 616 for receiving the guide rib 626 is formed in the rear frame 613. [ . The rotation guide (616) The rear frame 613 may be formed separately from the rear frame 613 and coupled to the rear frame 613 or may be formed integrally with the rear frame 613.

The rotation guide 616 may have a receiving portion for selectively receiving the guide ribs 626. Thus, one side of the auger 620 can be separated from the frame 610. As another example, a protrusion may be formed in the rotation guide 616, and a groove may be formed in the guide rib 626 to receive the protrusion.

The rotation guide 616 not only guides rotation of the auger 610 but also supports one side of the auger 620.

The frame 610 may further include an extension 612 extending forward from the front frame 611. The extended portion 612 may be rounded downward as it goes forward from the front frame 611, for example. The extended portion 612 may be integrally formed with the front frame 611 or may be coupled to the front frame 611.

The extended portion 612 is guided by the auger 620 to guide the ice that has passed through the ice passage 614 to fall downward. To this end, the extension 612 may be rounded outwardly when viewed from the ice passage 614.

At least a part of the extended portion 612 may be inserted into the opening / closing part 110 through the ice inlet 111 of the opening / closing part 110. The ice can be easily dropped to the ice outlet 112 side of the opening and closing part 110 by the extension part 612 as the extended part 612 is positioned in the opening and closing part 110.

The frame 610 is provided with a first guide 63 for guiding the ice dropped from the ice making parts 41 and 42 to drop from the ice storage part 60 to a side close to the ice passage 614 (or the opening of the housing) Member 630 may be provided. The first guide member 630 may be rotatably coupled to the frame 610, for example, to the rear frame 613 by a hinge. The first guide member 630 may include a coupling portion 632 coupled to the frame 610 and an inclined guide portion 640 formed on the coupling portion 632.

The inclined guide portion 640 may be positioned below the vertical portions of the ice making portions 41 and 42. The inclined guide portion 640 may be inclined downward from the rear side toward the front side in a state where the ice storage portion 60 is received in the main body 10. The inclined guide portion 640 may be elastically deformed by an external force. The ice separated from the ice-making portions 41 and 42 is not dropped directly into the frame 610 but falls into the inclined guide portion 640. Therefore, since the ice does not fall off the frame 610, it is possible to prevent the ice from breaking down upon falling of the ice. Even when the ice drops on the inclined guide portion 640, the inclined guide portion 640 can be elastically deformed, so that the impact of ice can be absorbed and the ice can be prevented from being broken.

The engaging portion 632 not only allows the first guide member 630 to be coupled to the frame 610 but also allows the inclined guide portion 640 to be spaced apart from the upper end of the frame 610. As the inclined guide part 640 is spaced apart from the upper end of the frame 610, ice may be positioned below the inclined guide part 640, and the inclined guide part 640 may be positioned below the storage chamber 610A, . That is, not only the storage chamber 610A in the frame 610 but also the space between the frame 610 and the inclined guide unit 640 can store ice.

The inclined guide portion 640 may have at least one hole 642 through which water can pass.

The frame 610 may further include a second guide member 650 for guiding ice stored in the storage chamber 610 to be stored close to the ice passage 614. The second guide member 650 includes an engaging portion 652 coupled to the frame 610 and substantially the connecting frame 615 and an inclined portion 652 formed on the engaging portion 652, And may include a guide portion 654.

The inclined guide portion 654 may be disposed in a space between the auger 620 and the support portion 660. The inclined guide portion 654 may be disposed in the storage chamber 610A and be inclined downward from the rear side toward the front side in a state where the ice storage portion 60 is received in the main body 10. [

In this embodiment, the second guide members 650 may be provided on both sides of the auger 620, but the number of the second guide members 650 is not limited in the present invention.

The main body 10 may further include a driving device 70 for generating power for rotating the auger 620.

The driving unit 70 may include an auger driving unit 710 for generating a driving force and a power transmitting unit 720 and 730 for transmitting the power of the auger driving unit 710 to the auger 620. The auger drive unit 710 may be referred to as a first drive unit.

The auger driving unit 710 is, for example, a motor and may be installed in the opening / For example, the auger driving unit 710 may be installed in the second body 130 of the opening / closing unit 110. The auger driving unit 710 may be covered by a cover 740 coupled to the opening and closing unit 110.

The power transmission parts 720 and 730 may include a first transmission part 720 provided in the opening and closing part 110 and a second transmission part 730 provided in the ice storage part 60 . The first transmission portion 720 may be connected to the shaft of the motor and the second transmission portion 730 may be connected to the rotation axis 622 of the auger 620.

When the opening and closing part 110 closes the opening 102 of the housing 100, the first transmitting part 720 can be connected to the second transmitting part 730. On the other hand, when the opening and closing part 110 opens the opening 102 of the housing 100, the connection between the first transmitting part 720 and the second transmitting part 730 is released.

The first transducer 720 may be located in a space between the first body 120 and the second body 130. The first transmitting portion 720 may include a first connecting portion 722 connected to the second transmitting portion 730. The first connection portion 722 may be a protrusion, for example, and may penetrate the first body 120. [

The second transfer part 730 may be installed in the extension part 612 of the ice storage part 60. At this time, when the opening and closing part 110 closes the opening 102 of the housing 100 or when the auger driving part 710 is operated while the opening and closing part 110 closes the opening 102, The second transmission portion 730 may be movably installed in the extension portion 612 so that the first transmission portion 720 and the second transmission portion 730 are easily connected. At this time, the second transmission portion 730 may be movable in a direction parallel to the extending direction of the rotation axis 622 of the auger 620.

The extension portion 612 may be provided with an elastic member 740 for elastically supporting the second transmission portion 730. The second transmitting portion 730 is installed in the extended portion 612 by the fixing portion 750.

The second transmission unit 730 may include a second connection unit 732 to which the first connection unit 722 of the first transmission unit 720 is connected. The second connection portion 732 may receive the first connection portion 722. [ That is, it may be a groove for receiving the protrusion. At this time, in order for the power of the driving unit 720 to be stably transmitted to the second transmitting unit 730 through the first transmitting unit 720, the first connecting unit 722 and the second connecting unit 732 The section may be non-circular.

If the first connection portion 722 and the second connection portion 732 are not aligned with each other in the state that the opening and closing portion 110 is closed with the opening 102, Is not connected to the second transmission portion 730 but presses the second transmission portion 730 only. It is needless to say that even when the opening and closing part 110 closes the opening 102 and the first connecting part 722 and the second connecting part 732 are aligned, 2 transmitting portion 730 of the second embodiment. At this time, the first body 120 presses a part of the extended portion 612 so as to prevent the ice storage portion 60 from moving when the opening and closing portion 110 is closed with the opening 102 closed. can do. That is, in the present invention, the opening and closing part 110 can press the ice storage part 60 while the opening and closing part 110 is closed.

When the first transmitting portion 720 presses the second transmitting portion 730, the elastic member 740 is contracted. In this state, when the auger driving unit 710 is operated, the auger driving unit 710 rotates the first transmitting unit 720, but the second transmitting unit 730 does not rotate. If the frictional force of the portion where the first transmission portion 720 and the second transmission portion 730 are in contact with each other is large, the second transmission portion 730 may be rotated when the first transmission portion 720 rotates However, since the rotational force of the first transmitting portion 720 is not completely transmitted to the second transmitting portion 730, the first transmitting portion 720 and the second transmitting portion 730 are relatively rotated.

When the first transmitting portion 720 and the second transmitting portion 730 are rotated relative to each other, the first connecting portion 722 and the second connecting portion 732 are aligned. In this state, The elastic member 740 is pulled.

The elastic force of the elastic member 740 moves the second transmission portion 730 in the direction of approaching the first transmission portion 720 so that the first connection portion 722 and the second connection portion 7320 Respectively.

The second transmission unit 730 may further include a shaft connection part 734 connected to the rotation shaft 622 of the auger 620. The shaft connection portion 734 may be inserted into the rotation axis 622 of the auger 620. As another example, the rotational axis 622 of the auger 620 may be inserted into the shaft connecting portion 734.

Meanwhile, in the housing 100, when the ice stored in the ice storage unit 60 is melted, a discharge port 104 through which molten water is discharged may be formed. The discharge port 104 is connected to the discharge pipe 106 and is discharged to the outside of the water purifier 1 along the discharge pipe 106.

FIG. 8 is a control block diagram of a water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a process of discharging ice stored in an ice storage unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6, 8 and 9, the water purifier 1 of the present embodiment includes a mode selection unit 27 provided in the main body 10 for selecting or releasing the ice making function, An ice-cube detection sensor 28 for detecting the ice cubes of the ice storage unit 60 and an ice-cube detection sensor 28 for detecting the ice- And a control unit 25 for controlling the display unit 710.

When the ice-making function is turned on by the mode selecting unit 27, ice is generated in the ice-making units 41 and 42.

The ice produced in the ice-making portions 41 and 42 is separated from the ice-making portions 41 and 42 and falls downward. The ice dropped in the ice making parts 41 and 42 is dropped onto the first guide member 630 and then moved along the first guide member 630 and flows into the ice storage part 60.

Ice is constantly generated in the ice making units 41 and 42 unless ice-fullness is detected by the ice-making sensor 28. In the present invention, the method for sensing the full ice and the type of the sensor can be implemented by a known structure, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The user can input the ice discharge command through the second user interface unit 24 for taking out the ice.

When the ice discharge command is inputted, it is detected by the opening / closing detector 29 whether or not the opening 102 is closed by the opening / closing part 110. If the opening 102 is not completely closed, the auger 620 is not rotated even if the auger driving unit 710 is driven. In this case, even if the ice discharge command is input, no ice is discharged, so that the user can recognize that the water purifier 1 is malfunctioning. Therefore, in the present invention, when the ice discharge command is inputted, if the closing of the opening 102 is not detected, the second user interface unit 24 displays information for notifying the inspection (the opening is opened) can do.

On the other hand, when the ice discharge command is input, when the opening of the opening 102 is detected, the controller 36 turns on the auger driving unit 720. Then, the auger driving unit 720 is turned on and the power of the driving unit 720 is transmitted to the auger 620 through the first transmitting unit 720 and the second transmitting unit 730. Then, the auger 620 is rotated, and the ice stored in the storage chamber 610A is transferred to the ice passage 614 by the auger 620. In addition, the shutter driving unit 118 operates to open the ice outlet 116 of the opening / closing unit 110 by the shutter 116. [

The ice moved to the ice passage 614 is guided by the extended portion 612 and falls to the ice outlet 112 side. Then, the ice is eventually discharged to the outside through the ice discharger 22.

Meanwhile, in order to separate the ice storage unit 60, the front panel 12 is detached from the main body 10. Then, the opening / closing part 110 is exposed to the front surface of the main body 10.

Then, the lever 140 of the opening / closing part 110 is operated to release the engagement between the lever 140 and the lever coupling part 144. Then, the opening and closing part 110 can open the opening 102 of the housing 100. The user can open the opening 102 of the housing 100 by rotating the opening and closing part 110.

Then, when the opening / closing part 110 opens the opening 102 of the housing 100, the ice storage part 60 is exposed to the outside. For example, the extension of the ice storage part 160 is exposed to the outside. Then, the user can finally take out the ice storage portion 160 from the main body 10. [

According to the present invention, since the user can easily separate the ice storage unit 60 from the main body 10, the ice storage unit 60 can be easily cleaned.

In addition, there is an advantage that the accommodation space 50 of the housing 100 can be cleaned while the ice storage unit 60 is separated.

In the above embodiment, the ice storage unit includes the frame and the support unit 660 to store ice. Alternatively, when the support unit 660 is omitted from the ice storage unit 60, May be stored in the bottom of the accommodation space (50) of the housing (100) without being stored in the ice storage.

A configuration in which the support portion 60 is omitted from the ice storage portion 60 may be referred to as auger assembly. In this case, ice may be stored in the auger assembly or stored in the bottom of the receiving space 50. [

As another example, in the above embodiment, the opening and closing part is connected to the housing to open and close the opening of the housing. Alternatively, the opening and closing part may be provided on the external panel. In this case, the ice storage unit (or the auger assembly) can be taken out from the water purifier by operating the opening / closing unit without separating one panel constituting the external panel from the water purifier.

10: main body 20: water discharge part
22; An ice discharge part 60; Ice storage

Claims (19)

A housing having an opening;
An ice reservoir capable of receiving ice and being drawn into or out of the housing through the opening;
An ice transfer part rotatably supported by the ice storage part;
A cover member covering the ice storage unit, being coupled to the housing, and having a passage through which the ice stored in the ice storage unit is discharged;
A shutter for opening and closing the passage;
A first driving unit installed on the cover member for driving the ice transfer unit; And
And a second driving unit installed on the cover member for driving the shutter,
Wherein when the ice storage portion is drawn out from the housing, the ice transfer portion is drawn out from the housing together with the ice storage portion. The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising a front panel covering a front surface of the cover member,
The front panel includes a user interface unit,
Wherein when the front panel is separated from the water purifier, the cover member is exposed to the outside. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the cover member includes a first engaging portion for engaging with the housing,
Wherein the housing includes a second engagement portion coupled with the first engagement portion. The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising a front panel covering a front surface of the housing,
Wherein the cover member is provided on the front panel. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the ice reservoir includes a frame forming a reservoir chamber for storing ice,
Wherein the frame includes a plurality of holes. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the bottom of the frame is a round spot. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the frame further comprises a front frame to which the ice transfer part is rotatably supported. 8. The method of claim 7,
And a passage for passing ice is formed between the front frame and the bottom of the frame. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the housing is provided with a seating guide for guiding a seating position of the ice storage portion received in the housing. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the cover member is in contact with the ice storage portion while the ice storage portion is housed in the housing. The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising a power transmission unit for transmitting the power of the first driving unit to the ice transfer unit,
The power transmitting portion includes a first transmitting portion provided on the cover member,
And a second transfer unit provided in the ice storage unit,
And the first transfer unit and the second transfer unit are connected with the ice storage unit being housed in the housing. 12. The method of claim 11,
The second transfer unit is installed in the ice storage unit so as to be movable in a direction parallel to the rotation axis extending direction of the ice transfer unit,
And the rotating shaft of the ice transfer part is connected to the second transfer part. 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the ice storage portion includes a rounded extension portion for guiding ice conveyed by the ice transfer portion,
And the second transfer portion is provided on the extension portion. 12. The method of claim 11,
And the second transfer portion is housed in the cover member with the ice storage portion being housed in the housing. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the ice storage unit is provided with a guide member for guiding ice, which is drawn into the ice storage unit, close to the ice passage. The method according to claim 1,
A guide member for guiding ice is movably connected to the ice storage unit, and the guide member is drawn out from the housing together with the ice storage unit. The method according to claim 1,
The cover member can open and close the opening,
And a sensing unit for sensing that the cover member has closed the opening,
Wherein the first driving unit is turned on when the sensing unit senses that the opening is closed. A housing having an opening;
An ice reservoir capable of receiving ice and being drawn into or out of the housing through the opening;
An ice transfer part rotatably supported by the ice storage part;
A cover member covering the ice storage unit, being coupled to the housing, and having a passage through which the ice stored in the ice storage unit is discharged;
A driving unit installed on the cover member for driving the ice transfer unit;
And a power transmission unit for transmitting the power of the driving unit to the ice transfer unit,
The power transmitting portion includes a first transmitting portion provided on the cover member,
And a second transfer unit provided in the ice storage unit,
And the first transfer unit and the second transfer unit are connected with the ice storage unit being housed in the housing. 19. The method of claim 18,
Wherein the ice reservoir includes a frame,
Wherein a bottom of the frame is rounded and a plurality of holes are formed in a rounded portion.

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